Creon
Extended Character Analysis
Creon is the King of Thebes and a recurring character throughout the Oedipus Trilogy. He rose to power after the deaths of Eteocles and Polynices, who inherited the throne from their father, Oedipus. Creon is a practiced statesman who has assisted the rulers of Thebes for many years. At the start of Antigone, he is well respected for his rational, level-headed approach to leadership. However, his cold rationality fails to account for the familial bonds that lead Antigone to bury her brother. He also disregards the gods’ demands that the dead be treated with dignity.
Creon as Complicated Antagonist
Though Creon is the antagonist of Antigone, he is not necessarily a villain. His actions are not intentionally spiteful or evil. Instead, Creon is attempting to create stability and order in a country recently riven by civil war. The Theban people view Polynices as a traitor who led an army against his own country. Creon’s decree that Polynices shall not receive a proper burial stems from his belief that enemies of Thebes are not owed the same respect and dignity in death. Creon is less a heartless villain and more a Theban nationalist. For Creon, the safety and stability of Thebes is more important than sentimentality or religious observances.
Creon can also be interpreted as an oppressive authority figure. By this reading, Antigone is a hero who defies Creon in order to do what she believes is right. By contrast, Creon ignores the advice of Haemon, the chorus, and Teiresias and stubbornly asserts the superiority of his own narrow judgment. He insists that Antigone must be punished, or else he will be seen as a lesser man and leader. By this reading, Creon is chiefly concerned with maintaining his own dominance and reputation. The fate of Thebes is of secondary importance.
Creon as Tragic Hero
Creon can be read as the play’s tragic hero. Perhaps even more so than Antigone, Creon experiences the reversal of fortune that Aristotle identifies as essential to the formation of a tragic figure. He begins at a high point as the newly appointed King of Thebes. He has the respect of his people and his family. Creon’s hamartia, or tragic flaw, is hubris, which leads him to believe that the laws of the state are more important than the so called unwritten laws of the gods. Because of this stubborn belief in his own judgment, Creon loses his family and the respect of his people. At the end of the play, he recognizes his errors in judgment and laments the losses it has cost him.
There are many parallels between Creon in Antigone and Oedipus in Oedipus Rex that reinforce Creon’s status as a tragic hero. Both begin their respective trajectories as powerful and respected kings, and both are ultimately punished for defying the will of the gods. The people around both Creon and Oedipus attempt to warn them against their pursuits, but both men remain committed to their chosen paths until it is too late. Ultimately, both Creon and Oedipus learn that no mortal is superior to the will of the gods. Creon repeats these mistakes despite having witnessed Oedipus’s downfall, which speaks to the human tendency to exaggerate one’s own importance.
Expert Q&A
In Antigone, what does Teiresias predict for Creon and what mistakes does he highlight?
In Antigone, Creon's mistakes were to forbid the burial of Polynices, an act which is hateful to the gods, and to then order Antigone's death by entombment. Teiresias warns Creon to change course, stating that the gods will punish him if he does not, and that Creon will suffer greatly as a result.
What happens to Creon at the end of Sophocles' Antigone?
At the end of Sophocles' Antigone, Creon is devastated by the tragic deaths of Antigone, his son Haemon, and his wife Eurydice, all of whom commit suicide. Creon acknowledges his responsibility for these deaths and is overwhelmed by grief, transforming from a confident ruler to a sorrowful man who prays for death, contemplating suicide.
What quotes from Scene 3 of Antigone illustrate Creon's pride?
In Scene 3 of "Antigone," Creon's pride is evident through his interactions with his son Haemon. Creon insists that "whomsoever the city may appoint, that man must be obeyed," demonstrating his belief in absolute authority. He dismisses Haemon's plea by asserting "shall Thebes prescribe how I must rule?" and claims "the State is the King!" These quotes illustrate Creon's stubbornness and hubris, ignoring wise counsel and prioritizing his pride over justice and reason.
What tragic flaws does Creon reveal in his conversation with Haemon in Antigone? What are his views on Ismene?
In his conversation with Haemon, Creon reveals tragic flaws of rigidity and insecurity. He demands blind obedience from Haemon, reflecting his authoritarian nature and fear of losing control as the new king. Creon believes that allowing family rebellion would undermine his rule. Regarding Ismene, Creon dismisses her as lacking intelligence and character, indicating his misogynistic views. He criticizes both Antigone for defiance and Ismene for obedience, highlighting his flawed perception of women.
What is the most important act a son can do, according to Creon?
According to Creon, the most important act a son can perform is to offer unwavering and unquestioning loyalty to his father. Creon emphasizes that a son should prioritize his father's will above all else, hate his father's enemies, and honor his father's friends. This belief leads to conflict with Haemon, Creon's son, who refuses to blindly follow Creon's unjust decrees, resulting in tragic consequences for the family.
How does Creon abuse his power in Antigone?
In Antigone, Creon abuses his power by forbidding the burial of Polynices, thereby asserting that the state, and his personal power as king, is more important than divine law.
In "Antigone," what quote identifies Creon's motivation in Act One, Scene Two?
Creon's motivation in Act One, Scene Two of "Antigone" is identified by his declaration that the state's well-being must take precedence over personal relationships. He considers anyone who prioritizes family or friends over the state to be "worthless." Creon refuses to allow Polynices' burial because Polynices attacked Thebes, thus dishonoring it. Creon asserts his judgment by stating that those loyal to the city will be honored, while traitors will face disgrace, as shown in his decree against Polynices.
Creon's decision regarding the burial of Polyneices in Sophocles's Antigone
Creon's decision in Antigone is to deny Polyneices a proper burial. He declares that Polyneices, who fought against Thebes, should be left unburied as a traitor, exposed to the elements and scavengers, as a warning to others. This decree sets the central conflict of the play in motion, as Antigone defies Creon's order to honor her brother with a proper burial.
Creon's Character Development in Sophocles' Antigone
In Sophocles' Antigone, Creon undergoes significant character development, shifting from a stubborn, authoritarian ruler to a tragic figure who gains wisdom too late. Initially, Creon prioritizes state laws over divine laws, refusing burial rites for Polynices and punishing Antigone. His hubris leads to personal tragedy, including the deaths of his son Haemon and wife Eurydice. Influenced by the prophet Tiresias and the Chorus, Creon eventually recognizes his errors, but his transformation comes at a devastating cost, highlighting themes of pride, power, and divine justice.
Creon's Decree and Justice in Antigone
In Sophocles' Antigone, King Creon decrees that Eteocles will receive a military burial for defending Thebes, while Polynices, deemed a traitor for attacking the city, will remain unburied. This decree punishes anyone who attempts to bury Polynices with death by stoning. The play questions the justice of Creon's law, highlighting opposition from Antigone, Tiresias, and others who argue for a higher moral law and criticize Creon's stubbornness and self-interest. The decree is portrayed as unjust, petty, and contrary to divine will.
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